Embarrassing stats show how lucky Man Utd were to grab draw after being battered

MANCHESTER UNITED were fortunate to leave the capital with a point if the stats are anything to go by.

Erik ten Hag's Red Devils were shown up by the Bees, but somehow managed to head back north with the points shared.

The 1-1 draw had a dramatic ending when Mason Mount's 96th minute goal was rendered obsolete by a goal up the other end from Kristoffer Ajer just moments later.

But even a share of the spoils seems like a smash and grab from a Manchester United point of view with Ten Hag's side well and truly battered.

Thomas Frank's Brentford peppered the Man Utd goal, registering 31 SHOTS over the course of the game.

The onslaught of efforts from the Bees means Man Utd join Sheffield United as the only other Premier League team to face more than 30 shots in a game this term.

To put that stat into perspective, league leaders Arsenal have conceded just 23 shots in their last THREE games.

While the wider view of the way United are playing is also grim reading for fans with the Old Trafford outfit now facing more shots in 2024 than any other Premier League team.

Their turbulent year has seen them face a whopping 197 SHOTS since January 1.

Man Utd were unable to stop Brentford from threatening too, with the London club continuously causing problems inside their opponents penalty area.

In fact the Bees are the first team all season to have over 80 TOUCHES inside the opposition box after United allowed them to walk all over their defenders.

Brentford finished the match with 85 touches inside the Man Utd penalty area with Ivan Toney registering 15 of those touches alone.

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The England international's 15 touches was just ONE less than the total achieved by Man Utd (16) in the Brentford box.

Despite the incredible attacking threat offered by Brentford, United still manged to cling on and avoid dropping all three points - and it's not the first time they have managed such a defensive feat either.

In fact since the start of the 2016/17 Premier League season the only other team to register over 70 touches was Manchester City in 2019 when they also played Man Utd.

The Red Devils didn't lose that day either - miraculously winning it 2-1 thanks to goals from Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial.

The damning stats on show against Brentford on Saturday suggest that Man Utd need to make some serious changes if they want to improve.

Ten Hag and Co currently sit sixth in the table after a mixed campaign that has seen them lose 11 LEAGUE MATCHES.

The underwhelming performances may lead to new minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his Ineos team taking a second look at potential managerial candidates despite the club's league position.